Gathering of royal societies planned

Members of four Hawaiian Royal Benevolent Societies will meet at what they are calling a first-ever gathering at the Ala Moana Hotel this month.

The Royal Order of Kamehameha I and Na Wahine Hui O Kamehameha I; the 'Ahahui Ka'ahumanu; the Hale O Na Ali'i of Hawai'i and the Daughters and Sons of Hawaiian Warriors -- Mamakakaua will meet in an 'Aha Hipu'u conference from July 21 through July 23.

According to a news release, the meeting will discuss and explore the relevance of their societies to the past, present and future of the native Hawaiian royal heritage.

On July 21, the groups will give the first "Kalaniali'i Awards" to peers, kumu and kupuna who have made "tremendous and extensive contributions" to the preservation of Hawaiian cultural heritage.

Honorees are fisherman and educator 'Anakala Eddie Ka'anana; limu authority, author and botanist Isabella Abbott; spiritual leader the Rev. Samuel Saffery; respected elder and feather weaver auntie Charlotte Clarke; and kupuna and educator Venus Holt, who will be 101 years old this year.